"I got desperate" - Man pleads guilty to church break-ins

"It is because both of my parents [are] dead and I got desperate,that is why I did it and I am very sorry," confessed 39-year-old Robert Barnett after pleading guilty to breaking into the Portmore Missionary Church in St Catherine.

Barnett, who appeared before Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Alleyne today, October 14, pleaded guilty to two counts of housebreaking with intent.

He was remanded until November 12, when the matter will again be mentioned.

Judge Alleyne instructed the Probation Department to prepare a community report and also requested Barnett's antecedent report to help guide sentencing.

According to the facts presented in court, about 11:00 p.m. on September 13, Barnett broke into the church and stole a Bluetooth bag valued at $3,000 and a Samsung keyboard worth $175,000. He reportedly exited through the same entry point.

Less than two weeks later, about 11:30 p.m. on September 24, Barnett allegedly returned and broke into the church again. This time, he was caught and handed over to the police.

He was subsequently charged with one count of sacrilege and one count of housebreaking with intent.

- Rasbert Turner

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.